Licensed Customs Brokerage for Canadian Imports
A customs broker helps organize and submit information used for Canadian customs release and accounting. Businesses may work directly with CBSA or authorize an agent, but only a licensed customs broker may account for goods and pay duties under section 32 of the Customs Act as the importer’s agent. Importers remain responsible for the accuracy and completeness of their transactions, duties, taxes and required corrections.
CBSA moved customs brokers to a national licensing model in 2024. Under the current model, one customs broker licence can be used at customs offices across Canada, so the broker supporting a Vancouver shipment does not need to be limited to one local port or customs office.
People may use terms such as Canadian customs agent, customs clearance agent or customs clearance company when searching for help. For formal customs brokerage in Canada, licensing is the more important distinction.
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Commercial Import Clearance
Commercial clearance can involve supplier details, country of origin, product descriptions, HS tariff classification, customs duty, GST, importer information and release documentation.
A customs broker for small business may be useful when a company is importing for the first time or does not have an internal trade-compliance team. A retailer receiving containerized inventory, for example, may have very different documentation needs from a company bringing specialized machinery by air freight.
Personal Import Clearance
Personal shipments can include household goods, online purchases and one-time imports. CBSA may still require clear information about the goods, value, origin, use and transportation details before release.